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Old Forester 100 Proof vs Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Comparing Old Forester 100 Proof and Russell’s Reserve 15 Year reveals a matchup between a traditional, spice-driven Kentucky staple and an uncut, cask-strength bruiser.
Key Specifications
| Feature | Old Forester 100 Proof | Russell’s Reserve 15 Year |
|---|---|---|
| Type / Style | High-Rye Bourbon | Traditional Bourbon, Barrel Proof |
| Mash Bill 1 | 72% corn, 18% rye, 10% malted barley | 75% corn, 13% rye, 12% malted barley |
| Age | No age statement | 15 years |
| Proof | 100 proof (50% ABV) | 117.2 proof (58.6% ABV) +17 proof |
| Approx. Price 2 | ~$26 – $32 ~$296 less | ~$250 – $400 |
| Availability | Widely available easier to find | Allocated |
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year does not publish an official mash bill.
- US shelf prices as of 2026-08; they vary widely by market.
AG’s Rating and AG’s Notes
Old Forester 100 Proof
Not rated yetNo notes yet.
Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
One of my favorites.
Flavor Profile
Old Forester 100 Proof Russell’s Reserve 15 Year
Axis by axis, biggest gap first
oak 6/9 oak: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 9 out of 10
heat 5/7 heat: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
fruit 5/6 fruit: Old Forester 100 Proof 5 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
sweetness 7/7 sweetness: Old Forester 100 Proof 7 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 7 out of 10
spice 6/6 spice: Old Forester 100 Proof 6 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 6 out of 10
nuttiness 3/3 nuttiness: Old Forester 100 Proof 3 out of 10, Russell’s Reserve 15 Year 3 out of 10
Flavor Profile Differences
Barrel influence is the main separator.
- Old Forester 100 Proof: The bottle most people should buy from this range: the same recipe as the 86 with enough proof to actually taste it. One of the strongest arguments on the shelf for spending six dollars more.
- Russell’s Reserve 15 Year: The oldest regular Russell's Reserve, at barrel proof. Fifteen years in Camp Nelson rickhouses push it toward old oak, leather and dried fruit over the usual Turkey spice.
Which One Should You Choose?
- Go with Old Forester 100 Proof if you want the best value in the Old Forester range and a superb old-fashioned base without hunting for it.
- Go with Russell’s Reserve 15 Year if you want a very old, oak-heavy Wild Turkey for slow sipping with more proof behind it and with the texture that comes from skipping chill filtration.
Best enjoyed neat, rocks, old-fashioned, cocktails (Old Forester 100 Proof); neat (Russell’s Reserve 15 Year).